Music To My Ears

It's not often I'm away from the boys for more than a few hours. Honestly, I get a handful of days throughout the year when I'm "off duty". They take much planning and coordination of schedules, often requiring babysitting, and sometimes it feels like it was more trouble than it was worth. Tonester's wacky work schedule has never made time away from the boys easy for me.

Unexpectedly, yesterday was one of those days I needed to be away for the entire day. Although my day was not one of pleasure (a topic for another post...) I was gone from morning into the evening. Thankfully, it coincided with Tonester's day off.

When I finally arrived home I was welcomed by a freshly showered and pajamaed Domino, cuddled up on the couch reading his new favorite book "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". Then I was greeted by a half-toweled and wet Rascal, running through the house to get his pajamas on with Tonester running after him trying to hold the other half of the towel up. Smiles all around.

Tonester and I sat in the kitchen for a while, updating each other on the events of the day -- and then I heard it.

Rascal had joined Domino on the couch and snuggled in close. Domino was reading his book to Rascal. They must have sat there for about a half hour together, no fighting, no whining, just 2 boys enjoying a good book together. Each time Tonester would try to say something to me I would "shhh!!" him so I could listen in on the brother bonding some more. My heart swelled and filled with joy in that way the Grinch's does at the end of How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

After an incredibly stressful day away, I could think of no better way to end it.


Update:
The boys woke up this morning, and instead of heading for the TV to watch SpongeBob or beg to play video games, they headed straight for the couch together with the book!